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Building and parking Books Sermon
Handicapped parking Before the service begins Collection of money
Visitor parking If you need help Holy Communion
What to wear Three Bible passages
Main Entrance Pew aerobics If you have questions

See the layout of our building and parking areas. The sketch and pictures show you where to park, where the restrooms are and where to sit during the service.

There are parking spaces reserved for handicapped parking, and visitor parking. The visitors parking is near the main entrance, in the main parking lot, on the left side. 

Check out our weekend schedule to see which service meets your schedule and suits your taste.

What to wear. It depends on what you're comfortable in. Some people come in their "Sunday best," while others dress more casually. Jeans and tennis shoes are okay.  We probably do take for granted, though, that you're going to use good sense in dressing for worship, to show honor in being with a worship community in God's presence.
Okay. So now you've decided when to come to church and you have a sense for where to go and where to park. You can use any of the entrances to our building. (All entrances are handicap-accessible.)
Just follow the layout page to get to the Main Entrance. 
There, an usher will give you a bulletin, The ushers always have a hearty grin, but they won't make a fuss over never having seen you before. You'll be welcomed just like everyone else. 

Then you'll take your seat in a pew. You will face the altar, which is the visual focus of the worship service.
There is a red book and a blue book in front of you. The red book is the Book of Common Prayer. Use the bookmark to mark the page referred to in the bulletin. The blue book is the hymnal. Depending on which service you attend, you may be using the hymnal throughout the service.

Before the service begins, there is time for quiet reflection and prayer. (You may want to turn to page 833 and 834 in the red book for some good prayers you can use.) 
You will notice that some people genuflect or bow before they enter their pew. Others do not. That's one of the first things you notice that's unique about the Episcopal Church: People aren't required to conform to certain standards or rituals.
People may notice you're having trouble following along, but may not ask if you need help. Here's another thing about Episcopalians: they don't want to invade your privacy or embarrass you. However, once you ask, they're absolutely delighted to help! They'll get you on track, and if you like, they'll go through the rest of the service with you, step by step. 
This would be a good time to talk about our "pew aerobics" in the Episcopal Church. There is standing, sitting and kneeling. 

The wooden piece at the bottom of the pew in front of you is the kneeler. You can pull it down to kneel on the padded part. 

But please put it back up again when you need to move out of the pew. It's a mighty tight fit to try to walk when that kneeler is down!
We sit to listen. This includes the sermon, which normally lasts around 12 minutes, and Bible passages (except the Gospel).
And we kneel or stand to pray. Some people stand because they prefer it. Some people stand because they can't handle the physical stress of kneeling. Back problems, knee problems, whatever ails you, if it hurts or is stressful to kneel, then please either stand or sit.

At some time during any worship service, there is a collection of money which helps support the work of the church internally and in the community. At Christ Church, as our guest, you are in no way expected to put anything in the collection plate. In fact, many of our members send in their offerings through the mail, so when the plate comes past them they don't put anything in. Please, please do not feel an obligation to contribute financially. This is our opportunity to serve you as our guest.
We need to talk a little bit now about Holy Communion, or what Episcopalians call the Eucharist. We celebrate this at virtually every worship service.

If you're looking for a deeper relationship with God, please come forward when the usher invites your pew to go to the communion rail.
When you receive communion, three things happen for you spiritually. First, your sins are forgiven. Second, this is a strengthening of your relationship with Jesus Christ and with God's people. And third, this is a preview, if you will, of the great banquet which awaits us in heaven.

Again, if you are unable, for whatever reason, to kneel at the communion rail, stand instead. Many of our members stand because of back problems, knee problems or personal preference.

If you are unable to walk to the communion rail, let your usher know, and the priest and chalice bearer will be delighted to bring the bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Christ, to you in your pew.
If you have questions about what to expect when attending Christ Church, give us a call at 319-363-2029, or drop us an email. We're thrilled that you're considering us as your spiritual community, and we pray that God leads you to true joy on your journey.